

He put his hand under my chin, and held my face so that he could read my eyes. Would you like to go?

Its no big thing. Dont worry about it.

You dont have to ask my permission, Bella. Im not your father  thank heaven forthat . Perhaps you should ask Charlie, though.

But you know Charlie will say yes.

I do have a bit more insight into his probable answer than most people would, its true.

I just stared at him, trying to understand what he wanted, and trying to put out of my mind the yearning I felt to go to La Push so that I wouldnt be swayed by my own wishes. It was stupid to want to go hang out with a bunch of big idiot wolf-boys right now when there was so much that was frightening and unexplained going on. Of course, that wasexactly why I wanted to go. I wanted to escape the death threats, for just a few hours . . . to be the less-mature, more-reckless Bella who could laugh it off with Jacob, if only briefly. But that didnt matter.

Bella, Edward said. I told you that I was going to be reasonable and trust your judgment. I meant that. If you trust the werewolves, then Im not going to worry about them.

Wow, I said, as I had last night.

And Jacobs right  about one thing, anyway  a pack of werewolves ought to be enough to protect even you for one evening.

Are you sure?

Of course. Only . . .

I braced myself.

I hope you wont mind taking a few precautions? Allowing me to drive you to the boundary line, for one. And then taking a cell phone, so that Ill know when to pick you up?

That sounds . . . very reasonable.

Excellent.

He smiled at me, and I could see no trace of apprehension in his jewel-like eyes.

To no ones surprise, Charlie had no problem at all with me going to La Push for a bonfire. Jacob crowed with undisguised exultation when I called to give him the news, and he seemed eager enough to embrace Edwards safety measures. He promised to meet us at the line between territories at six.

I had decided, after a short internal debate, that I would not sell my motorcycle. I would take it back to La Push where it belonged and, when I no longer needed it anymore . . . well, then, I would insist that Jacob profit from his work somehow. He could sell it or give it to a friend. It didnt matter to me.

Tonight seemed like a good opportunity to return the bike to Jacobs garage. As gloomy as I was feeling about things lately, every day seemed like a possible last chance. I didnt have time to procrastinate any task, no matter how minor.

Edward only nodded when I explained what I wanted, but I thought I saw a flicker of consternation in his eyes, and I knew he was no happier about the idea of me on a motorcycle than Charlie was.

I followed him back to his house, to the garage where Id left the bike. It wasnt until I pulled the truck in and got out that I realized the consternation might not be entirely about my safety this time.

Next to my little antique motorcycle, overshadowing it, was another vehicle. To call this other vehicle a motorcycle hardly seemed fair, since it didnt seem to belong to the same family as my suddenly shabby-looking bike.

It was big and sleek and silver and  even totally motionless  it looked fast.

What isthat ?

Nothing, Edward murmured.

It doesntlook like nothing.

Edwards expression was casual; he seemed determined to blow it off. Well, I didnt know if you were going to forgive your friend, or he you, and I wondered if you would still want to ride your bike anyway. It sounded like it was something that you enjoyed. I thought I could go with you, if you wished. He shrugged.

I stared at the beautiful machine. Beside it, my bike looked like a broken tricycle. I felt a sudden wave of sadness when I realized that this was not a bad analogy for the way I probably looked next to Edward.

I wouldnt be able to keep up with you, I whispered.

Edward put his hand under my chin and pulled my face around so that he could see it straight on. With one finger, he tried to push the corner of my mouth up.

Id keep pace with you, Bella.

That wouldnt be much fun for you.

Of course it would, if we were together.

I bit my lip and imagined it for a moment. Edward, if you thought I was going too fast or losing control of the bike or something, what would you do?

He hesitated, obviously trying to find the right answer. I knew the truth: hed find some way to save me before I crashed.

Then he smiled. It looked effortless, except for the tiny defensive tightening of his eyes.

This is something you do with Jacob. I see that now.

Its just that, well, I dont slow him down so much, you know. I could try, I guess. . . .

I eyed the silver motorcycle doubtfully.

Dont worry about it, Edward said, and then he laughed lightly. I saw Jasper admiring it. Perhaps its time he discovered a new way to travel. After all, Alice has her Porsche now.

Edward, I 

He interrupted me with a quick kiss. I said not to worry. But would you do something for me?

Whatever you need, I promised quickly.

He dropped my face and leaned over the far side of the big motorcycle, retrieving something he had stashed there.

He came back with one object that was black and shapeless, and another that was red and easily identifiable.

Please? he asked, flashing the crooked smile that always destroyed my resistance.

I took the red helmet, weighing it in my hands. Ill look stupid.

No, youll look smart. Smart enough not to get yourself hurt. He threw the black thing, whatever it was, over his arm and then took my face in his hands. There are things between my hands right now that I cant live without. You could take care of them.

Okay, fine. Whats that other thing? I asked suspiciously.

He laughed and shook out some kind of padded jacket. Its a riding jacket. I hear road rash is quite uncomfortable, not that I would know myself.

He held it out for me. With a deep sigh, I flipped my hair back and stuffed the helmet on my head. Then I shoved my arms through the sleeves of the jacket. He zipped me in, a smile playing around the corners of his lips, and took a step back.

I felt bulky.

Be honest, how hideous do I look?

He took another step back and pursed his lips.

That bad, huh? I muttered.

No, no, Bella. Actually . . . he seemed to be struggling for the right word. You look . . . sexy.

I laughed out loud. Right.

Very sexy, really.

You are just saying that so that Ill wear it, I said. But thats okay. Youre right, its smarter.

He wrapped his arms around me and pulled me against his chest. Youre silly. I suppose thats part of your charm. Though, Ill admit it, this helmet does have its drawbacks.

And then he pulled the helmet off so that he could kiss me.

As Edward drove me toward La Push a little while later, I realized that this unprecedented situation felt oddly familiar. It took me a moment of thought to pinpoint the source of the dj vu.

You know what this reminds me of? I asked. Its just like when I was a kid and Rene would pass me off to Charlie for the summer. I feel like a seven-year-old.

Edward laughed.

I didnt mention it out loud, but the biggest difference between the two circumstances was that Rene and Charlie had been on better terms.

About halfway to La Push, we rounded the corner and found Jacob leaning against the side of the red Volkswagen hed built for himself out of scraps. Jacobs carefully neutral expression dissolved into a smile when I waved from the front seat.

Edward parked the Volvo thirty yards away.

Call me whenever youre ready to come home, he said. And Ill be here.

I wont be out late, I promised.

Edward pulled the bike and my new gear out of the trunk of his car  Id been quite impressed that it had all fit. But it wasnt so hard to manage when you were strong enough to juggle full-sized vans, let alone small motorcycles.

Jacob watched, making no move to approach, his smile gone and his dark eyes indecipherable.

I